R&D Programming Internship/Master Partnership

Denver, CO, USA
Job Type: Paid Internship or Partnership

You may have heard the phrase, variety is the spice of life. That’s OptimumG. As an intern, you’ll notice the variety not only in your work, but also in the people. Our team is multiethnic and our client base is international – with series such as the World Endurance Challenge, American Le Mans Series, IndyCar, Australian V8 Supercars, Blancpain European GT Series, Argentinian Touring Cars 2000 and many more.

In 1997, our president and founder, Claude Rouelle, began OptimumG as a one-man, shop teaching vehicle dynamics seminars around the globe. OptimumG has now grown to become one of the world’s most sought-after racecar engineering firms – offering simulation software solutions, training seminars and consulting services.

Job Description and Responsibilities

OptimumG is looking for students who can perform their internship and/or thesis with us and work on different vehicle dynamics software development projects which will include some, or all of the following tasks:

  • Develop optimization codes in C++.
  • Develop libraries of mathematical tools in C++. That is, mathematical tools to compute Bode diagrams, Nyquist plots, Taylor series expansions, polynomial fitting etc.
  • Develop executable/.dll from MATLAB codes which can be plugged to .NET Framework languages like C#/VB.NET.
  • Re-program existing .NET Framework code in C++ for computationally expensive vehicle dynamic models, integration schemes, iterative solvers, and optimization algorithms.
  • Create realistic animations to visualize simulations. This includes development of realistic 3D visualizations of components like springs, dampers, bump stops, tires, front/rear wings, suspension linkages and more.
  • Develop foundational architecture for existing OptimumG software using SysML or UML.
  • Develop UML diagrams for mathematical methods like numerical integrators, iterative solvers, optimization algorithms.
  • Develop SysML diagrams of complex 4-wheel and 2-wheel vehicle models.
  • Develop SysML/UML diagrams of the framework which binds the vehicle model with mathematical methods.
  • Develop UML models for the graphical user interface of OptimumG software.
  • Prepare tire-models for real-time deployment.
  • Implement real-time capabilities in vehicle model for simulator deployment.
  • Implement hyper-threading to simulate different components of the vehicle model efficiently in a real-time environment.

Internship Duration

This internship is one year (or for the duration of the Master’s program), which long enough for you to be properly trained. We want you to learn as much as possible so you feel independent enough to take charge of interesting and challenging projects.

General Skills

You must:

  • Proactive and capable of working with little guidance.
  • Good problem-solving skills
  • Team player
  • Excellent oral and written English communication.

Required Skills

  • Background in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or similar fields
  • Fluency in MATLAB, C++, C#, and using .NET Framework. (Previous experience with C++ is preferred)
  • Strong mathematical and/or physics background
  • Knowledge of object-oriented programming
  • Knowledge of System Modelling, SysML and/or UML
  • Exposure to real-time simulations or deployment of code in hardware
  • Basic knowledge of gradient-based/gradient-free optimization and dynamic simulations (having previous courses on these subjects is preferred)

Preferred Skills

  • Computer science/software development background.
  • Formula Student experience is an advantage but is not mandatory.
  • Knowledge of CAD software (SolidWorks, Siemens NX, CATIA etc)
  • Knowledge in programmatically creating 3D visualization of components and their animations.
  • Basic knowledge of longitudinal, lateral, and vertical vehicle dynamics

The Specifics

Housing is provided – affectionately dubbed “Le Chateau” – in a safe neighborhood just minutes from the office for an easy commute. And you get a company car. Your flight, moving, and visa expenses are all paid when you finish your internship.

Tips for a Successful Application

Stand out and impress us! Those items are key because there’s a lot of competition. Send us examples (as attachments to your application) of your work and experience and highlight your strengths.

How to Apply

  • Send your resume and a cover letter highlighting your uniqueness. Describe your practical experience (both software and motorsports) and your theoretical knowledge/education. Share how your participation in OptimumG will benefit the company. And, don’t forget, send samples of your work.
  • We will confirm we’ve received your information and contact you if we’re interested.
  • If we are interested, you’ll give you a software coding test based on your skills and experience.
  • After that, we’ll schedule an interview.
To be considered for an internship, please send the specified materials to: jobs@optimumg.com
Back to Careers
“I first met Claude when I was studying mechanical engineering in Paris in the early 2000s. I decided to invest in his 3-days seminar on vehicle dynamics and data analysis. This was probably the best investment I have ever made as it gave me a very important and solid understanding of Motorsport Engineering principles, both theoretical and practical, that you could not acquire just by reading books. Following this seminar, I went to Denver to work with Claude for a 1-year internship working on all aspects of vehicle dynamics, Motorsport Engineering, and data analysis for a new 12-days seminar Claude was creating. This was a very valuable experience and my knowledge of Motorsport Engineering increased exponentially during this time. To this day, in my current job as a Race Engineer in F1, I am still mainly employing principles I learnt during this period. I can strongly recommend Claude’s seminar for anyone aspiring to have a career in Motorsport Engineering.”

– Julien Simon-Chautemps, Senior Race Engineer for Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo Racing – F1 Team

“I first met Claude when I was studying mechanical engineering in Paris in the early 2000s. I decided to invest in his 3-days seminar on vehicle dynamics and data analysis. This was probably the best investment I have ever made as it gave me a very important and solid understanding of Motorsport Engineering principles, both theoretical and practical, that you could not acquire just by reading books. Following this seminar, I went to Denver to work with Claude for a 1-year internship working on all aspects of vehicle dynamics, Motorsport Engineering, and data analysis for a new 12-days seminar Claude was creating. This was a very valuable experience and my knowledge of Motorsport Engineering increased exponentially during this time. To this day, in my current job as a Race Engineer in F1, I am still mainly employing principles I learnt during this period. I can strongly recommend Claude’s seminar for anyone aspiring to have a career in Motorsport Engineering.”

– Julien Simon-Chautemps, Senior Race Engineer for Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo Racing – F1 Team

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What’s OptimumG all about?
In short, OptimumG improves vehicle performance for the automotive and motorsport industries with software, training, and consulting. Our mission is to combine engineering and innovation to solve vehicle dynamics problems. We do this by emphasizing the importance of data because it reveals why certain factors in the vehicle affect the overall outcome, and it underscores the importance of physical realities over speculation or intuition. Please visit our About section for more information about the company.
Where are former interns now?
Many are fulltime OptimumG employees or they work with companies or series such as Lotus Formula 1, Aston Martin, Audi Sport, Nismo, Michelin Competition, and many more.
How will an internship at OptimumG advance my professional networking?
You’ll get exposure to several race series around the world including the European Le Mans Series, IMSA, IndyCar, World Endurance Championship, GT World Challenge America, and many more. Apart from racing, you’ll also work with well-known clients such as Goodyear, Hyundai, and many others. This exposure will give you plenty of opportunities to make contacts in the racing and automotive industries.
What tasks will my work include?
We offer rewarding, challenging, and relevant work to jumpstart your career. Tasks will include vehicle dynamics simulation projects and software coding for clients to create custom solutions or help teams be more effective at the track.
Why does the internship last a year?
This internship is one year, which is long enough for you to be properly trained. We want you to learn as much as possible so you feel independent enough to take charge of interesting and challenging projects.
Why do you give an internship test?
We want to evaluate your skills, determine your knowledge of vehicle dynamics and programming, and prepare you for the OptimumG expectations. We don’t expect you to know everything or get every question right. We do want you to demonstrate your skills to the best of your ability. And, of course, we want to understand if you’re a good fit. During the applications process, our engineers interact with applicants and share feedback and suggestions.
What does the internship test entail?
You can choose a test from OptimumG or approach us with your own idea. The test must effectively illustrate your skills in vehicle dynamics simulation and software programming. You will need to be able to create software that can be saved/loaded and define parameters, run simulations, and export/plot results.
How long does the internship test take?
Anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months depending on your schedule. We want quality work, not quick work. We suggest taking enough time to do well and not try to impress us with speed.
Is there a good time to apply?
We suggest applying a few months before you’d be able to start to allow enough time for completing the internship test and hiring process. We prefer candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree who are available for a full year, but we will consider current students for a two-term co-op or internship. When applying, please make your availability clear.
What kind of experience do you prefer an in applicant?
We prefer some software coding experience and previous internship or work experience. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in motorsports, but we prefer interns who have some experience in the automotive industry. Experience in FSAE/FS/Baja or racing is a plus.
Can my thesis be used as the base of my internship test?
Yes, depending on the subject of your thesis.
What are the living arrangements for interns?
The interns live at a home owned by OptimumG. It’s affectionately dubbed “Le Chateau,” and is in a safe neighborhood just minutes from the office for an easy commute. It has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. It’s fully equipped with everything except food and beer.